China releases video of bomber carrying heavy ballistic missile

China for the first time unveils images of the H-6N bomber carrying a large JL-1 ballistic missile, believed to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

In a video celebrating the 99th anniversary of the Chinese military, released by CCTV on 5/8, the H-6N strategic bomber was seen carrying a JL-1 ballistic missile under its fuselage, escorted by two J-20 stealth fighters. The JL-1 ballistic missile debuted during a military parade in Beijing in 9/2025.

The video also featured an H-6K bomber launching an YJ-15 anti-ship missile. This weapon has a range of 1,200-1,800 km and first appeared at a Beijing military parade in 9/2025. Beyond the H-6K, China also equips the YJ-15 on its J-15 carrier-based fighters and Type-055 destroyers.

The H-6N bomber and J-20 fighters in the video released on 5/8. Video: CCTV

Parth Satam, an editor for the military aviation publication Aviationist, noted that the missile resembles a weapon previously seen on an H-6 bomber in an image from 4/2025. NATO designated this missile as CH-AS-X-13 at the time. Some experts suggest it could be a variant of the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, modified for launch from a strategic bomber.

"It is unclear whether the JL-1 has any connection to the CH-AS-X-13. However, its appearance on the H-6N bomber, a component of China's nuclear triad, suggests this missile could carry a nuclear warhead," Satam assessed.

Some experts believe the H-6KG bomber could also be equipped with the JL-1, indicating the missile might also serve as a conventional strategic weapon. This hypothesis is based on the view that the H-6N specializes in nuclear attacks, while the H-6KG carries conventional weapons.

The H-6N bomber carrying a JL-1 ballistic missile in an image released on 5/8. Photo: CCTV

China maintains a no-first-use nuclear policy and possesses fewer than 600 warheads. This contrasts with the US and Russia, two nations with significantly larger nuclear arsenals and accompanying first-strike policies.

"The H-6KG could carry a JL-1 variant with a conventional warhead. This weapon could strike large, fixed targets depending on its guidance and targeting capabilities, potentially even hitting slow-moving targets like warships," Satam stated.

The JL-1 has a range of up to 8,000 km, significantly greater than the DF-21 and DF-26, possibly by leveraging the speed and altitude of the launch aircraft. According to the US military publication War Zone, the JL-1 might use a warhead similar to the DF-21D and a hypersonic glide vehicle like the DF-ZF on the DF-17 missile.